Rafale deal, AI, trade on table: French President Emmanuel Macron set to meet PM Modi in Mumbai — what's on agenda

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday, beginning a three-day visit to India that will extend until February 19th. The visit signals continued strengthening of the strategic partnership between India and France, with a packed agenda focused on defense, artificial intelligence and trade.

High-Level Discussions Underway

President Macron is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday afternoon at Lok Bhavan. Bilateral talks will centre on reviewing cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas, including defense, space, nuclear energy, climate initiatives, education, and emerging technologies. These discussions are framed within the Horizon 2047 roadmap, and nearly a dozen agreements are anticipated in areas like defense, trade, skilling, healthcare, and supply chains.

Did You Know? This marks Emmanuel Macron’s fourth visit to India, and notably, his first to the city of Mumbai.

Focus on Innovation and Global Issues

The leaders will jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, building on previous collaborations and engagements, including meetings in Paris in 2025 and during the 2023 G20 Summit and the 2024 Republic Day celebrations. Later, they will attend an event at the Gateway of India, engaging with business leaders, start-ups, researchers, and innovators from both nations.

Beyond bilateral cooperation, the leaders are expected to exchange views on critical regional and global issues, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the situation in Gaza. Cooperation in air and maritime domains, as outlined in the 2024 Defence Industrial Roadmap, will also be a key topic.

AI and Defense Cooperation

A significant component of the visit involves deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. President Macron will travel to New Delhi to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. This follows a joint AI Action Summit co-chaired by PM Modi and Macron in Paris in February 2025.

Defense cooperation is also set to advance, with discussions regarding India’s potential procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. The 6th Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru is anticipated to renew the defense cooperation agreement for another decade.

Expert Insight: The sustained high-level engagement between India and France underscores the importance both nations place on a strategic partnership that extends beyond traditional economic ties to encompass security, technology, and shared global perspectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Horizon 2047 roadmap?

The Horizon 2047 roadmap is a framework for cooperation between India and France across various sectors, including defense, space, nuclear energy, climate, education, and emerging technologies.

What is the India AI Impact Summit 2026?

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South, and President Macron will attend after his engagements in Mumbai.

What is expected regarding the Rafale fighter jets?

Discussions are expected to take place regarding India’s plan to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France under a government-to-government framework.

As the visit progresses, it remains to be seen how these discussions will translate into concrete agreements and further solidify the India-France strategic partnership.

Rafale deal, AI, trade on table: French President Emmanuel Macron set to meet PM Modi in Mumbai — what’s on agenda | India News